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It's hard to believe that spring bear season is already here! Hands down, a spring bear hunt is my second favorite hunt, right behind mule deer.
What's truly great about bear hunting is that you can honestly use whatever gear you have available. Especially when it comes to the plethora of different hunting options for spring bear. You don't need a super heavy weapon, you don't need a ton of weight in optics, but for me, it's just something that works well. Spring bear hunting is just a fun, fun hunt!
You can watch the video below for a look at my 2021 spring bear gear list, or jump further down this article to see an item-by-item list. This year Chris Neville and I are doing a full backpack hunt so this is everything I'm carrying in my pack. Some of the items for this hunt Neville and myself are splitting up. For instance, I'm having him carry my solar panel (but I haven't told him that yet). While I love the challenge of a solo hunt, being able to split gear when hunting with someone is a huge advantage.
I haven't put everything in my backpack yet to get an exact weight yet. We are going to do another video shortly where we have everything in our packs before we go on our hunt and hang the packs on a scale. For people who are curious, currently, my full backpack weighs around 54 pounds based on my excel sheet when I weighed each piece of gear the other week. And that weight includes 2 liters of water. The 54 pounds I mentioned does not include food as I'll be honest, I just haven't had time to put together my food list yet for this hunt, so that is why you don't see it in the video or this article. This will be a roughly 8-day bear hunt and is pretty much the exact gear I will be using. I'm going to go through my gear again several times and see if I can toss anything out. That's why I like doing these gear list videos/articles as it gives me a great way to check and plan everything as well as ensure I don't forget anything. Which I why I always try to tell people to take all their gear and place it on your floor and run through it several times to ensure you have everything and to see what you could live without. I keep my gear lists in both a Google Sheet that I can access from my phone and I also have a custom excel spreadsheet I built several years ago that I linked in some previous articles for people to download and work off of.
Check out the video below for a complete overview of the gear for this hunt.
** Waiting until the new Phone Skope case arrives so I can purchase one and weigh it.
There will be another video that will follow up this article where I will take all my gear and place it in my backpack and show you all the true weight. I did my best to weigh out every piece of gear individually in the table above, but a good reference will be the full pack weight video.
This year's camp setup is fairly trimmed down. The beauty in this system lies in the packability of Stone Glacier's Sky AirULT tarp, vestibule, and mesh system. It's worth mentioning that I've done the whole floorless shelter thing enough times in the spring that I'll admit it's no longer fun to sleep with ticks at night. Dealing with ticks all day, and then have to deal with ticks that crawl into your shelter at night and then in the morning you find them on you or worse... starting to dig at your skin. So we stopped using floorless shelters in the spring a few years ago and this year that will continue.
I consider this a fairly light sleeping setup that is barely over 5 pounds.
To be successful at spring bear hunting, in my opinion, you need a ton of patience, determination and you need quality optics. My optics setup weight increased a bunch this year by purchasing a Swarovski BTX setup. I'm excited to see how it performs on this spring bear hunt!
In the video, I totally spaced out and forgot that last year on our spring bear hunt was when I initially used the Hanwag Alverstone II GTX boots. These boots are so comfortable and at a Flex 3 rating, they are a great do-it-all boot.
There's no denying that I love quality hunting clothing. Each year I appreciate the quality and the full layering system that Sitka offers. They have everything I need when it comes to clothing that can hold up to any hunt I go on.
Best of luck to everyone headed out after spring bear this spring. Have fun and enjoy the time on the mountain. There's no better way to kick off the dust and experiment with gear, food choices, and hone your glassing techniques than on a spring bear hunt.
Item | Boots |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 64.0 |
Item | Insoles |
Model | SheepFeet Full-Length Custom Orthotic Insole (Heel Stabilizer & Double Cushioning) |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Boots | 64.0 | |
Insoles | SheepFeet Full-Length Custom Orthotic Insole (Heel Stabilizer & Double Cushioning) |
Item | Stove |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 14.80 |
Item | Fuel |
Model | MSR Fuel Canister |
Weight(oz) | 6.20 |
Item | Spork |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 0.30 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Stove | 14.80 | |
Fuel | MSR Fuel Canister | 6.20 |
Spork | 0.30 |
Item | Gear Bag |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 1.00 |
Item | Dust Blower |
Model | Optics Dust Blower |
Weight(oz) | 1.60 |
Item | Lens Wipes |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 1.20 |
Item | Lens Pen |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 0.50 |
Item | Lens Cloth |
Model | Random Lens Cloth |
Weight(oz) | 0.40 |
Item | Bluetooth Remote |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 0.70 |
Item | Charge Cord |
Model | iPhone Charge Cord |
Weight(oz) | 0.65 |
Item | Charge Cord |
Model | Cord For Headlamp & Sat Messenger |
Weight(oz) | 0.20 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Gear Bag | 1.00 | |
Dust Blower | Optics Dust Blower | 1.60 |
Lens Wipes | 1.20 | |
Lens Pen | 0.50 | |
Lens Cloth | Random Lens Cloth | 0.40 |
Bluetooth Remote | 0.70 | |
Charge Cord | iPhone Charge Cord | 0.65 |
Charge Cord | Cord For Headlamp & Sat Messenger | 0.20 |
Item | Backpack |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 96.0 |
Item | Pack Rain Cover |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 3.50 |
Item | Weapon Holder |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 1.40 |
Item | Camera Holder |
Model | |
Weight(oz) |
|
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Backpack | 96.0 | |
Pack Rain Cover | 3.50 | |
Weapon Holder | 1.40 | |
Camera Holder |
|
Item | Wind Check |
---|---|
Model | Smoke In A Bottle |
Weight(oz) | 0.70 |
Item | Trekking Poles For Shelter |
Model | Black Diamond Ergo Cork |
Weight(oz) | 20.10 |
Item | Glassing Chair |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 14.10 |
Item | Glassing Pad |
Model | Z Rest Cut Into Small Section |
Weight(oz) | 2.00 |
Item | Wind Check |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 6.00 |
Item | Ear Protection |
Model | Orange Wrap Around Head Ear Protection |
Weight(oz) | 0.60 |
Item | Battery Pack |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 8.87 |
Item | Solar Panel |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 15.00 |
Item | Food Hanging |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 2.00 |
Item | Ammo Holder |
Model | Old Ammo Holder Kept In Top Lid Of Pack |
Weight(oz) | 2.40 |
Item | Camp Shoes |
Model | Crocs - Size: 13 |
Weight(oz) | 15.7 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Wind Check | Smoke In A Bottle | 0.70 |
Trekking Poles For Shelter | Black Diamond Ergo Cork | 20.10 |
Glassing Chair | 14.10 | |
Glassing Pad | Z Rest Cut Into Small Section | 2.00 |
Wind Check | 6.00 | |
Ear Protection | Orange Wrap Around Head Ear Protection | 0.60 |
Battery Pack | 8.87 | |
Solar Panel | 15.00 | |
Food Hanging | 2.00 | |
Ammo Holder | Old Ammo Holder Kept In Top Lid Of Pack | 2.40 |
Camp Shoes | Crocs - Size: 13 | 15.7 |
Item | Satellite Messenger |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 3.90 |
Item | Headlamp |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 3.97 |
Item | Headlamp (Spare) |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 2.80 |
Item | Tooth Brush & Paste |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 0.70 |
Item | First Aid |
Model | Assorted First Aid Kit in aLOKSAK bag |
Weight(oz) | 1.40 |
Item | Toilet Paper |
Model | Toilet Paper in ZipLoc Bag |
Weight(oz) | 0.99 |
Item | Bear Spray |
Model | Counter Assault Bear Spray |
Weight(oz) | 11.50 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Satellite Messenger | 3.90 | |
Headlamp | 3.97 | |
Headlamp (Spare) | 2.80 | |
Tooth Brush & Paste | 0.70 | |
First Aid | Assorted First Aid Kit in aLOKSAK bag | 1.40 |
Toilet Paper | Toilet Paper in ZipLoc Bag | 0.99 |
Bear Spray | Counter Assault Bear Spray | 11.50 |
Item | Water |
---|---|
Model | Platypus Big Zip EVO Hydration Bladder (filled with 2 liters of water) |
Weight(oz) | 78.0 |
Item | Water Bottle |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 6.2 |
Item | Water Purification |
Model | Aquamira in UL Mini Dropper |
Weight(oz) | 1.10 |
Item | Water Purification |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 3.10 |
Item | Water Container |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 4.80 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Water | Platypus Big Zip EVO Hydration Bladder (filled with 2 liters of water) | 78.0 |
Water Bottle | 6.2 | |
Water Purification | Aquamira in UL Mini Dropper | 1.10 |
Water Purification | 3.10 | |
Water Container | 4.80 |
Item | Gear Bag |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 1.8 |
Item | Knife |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 1.30 |
Item | Replaceable Blades |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 0.50 |
Item | Knife |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 2.40 |
Item | Knife Sharpener |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 1.60 |
Item | Stuff Sack |
Model | Mini ZPacks Cuben Fiber W/Rangefinder Battery & Rubber Bands |
Weight(oz) | 0.60 |
Item | Hunting License |
Model | License |
Weight(oz) | 0.28 |
Item | Lighter |
Model | Large Bic Lighter W/Lukotape |
Weight(oz) | 0.70 |
Item | Lighter |
Model | Small Bic Lighter (Backup) |
Weight(oz) | 0.40 |
Item | Tape |
Model | Small Roll Of Electrical Tape |
Weight(oz) | 0.80 |
Item | Pills |
Model | Electrolyte, Advil |
Weight(oz) | 1.50 |
Item | Game Bags |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 9.80 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Gear Bag | 1.8 | |
Knife | 1.30 | |
Replaceable Blades | 0.50 | |
Knife | 2.40 | |
Knife Sharpener | 1.60 | |
Stuff Sack | Mini ZPacks Cuben Fiber W/Rangefinder Battery & Rubber Bands | 0.60 |
Hunting License | License | 0.28 |
Lighter | Large Bic Lighter W/Lukotape | 0.70 |
Lighter | Small Bic Lighter (Backup) | 0.40 |
Tape | Small Roll Of Electrical Tape | 0.80 |
Pills | Electrolyte, Advil | 1.50 |
Game Bags | 9.80 |
Item | Shelter |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 27.0 |
Item | Shelter Mesh |
Model | |
Item | Shelter Vestibule |
Model | |
Item | Shelter Footprint |
Model | |
Item | Compression Sack |
Model | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: XS |
Item | Shelter Stakes |
Model | 13 stakes |
Weight(oz) | 5.00 |
Item | Sleeping Bag |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 34.70 |
Item | Compression Sack |
Model | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: S |
Weight(oz) | 2.20 |
Item | Pillow |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 3.60 |
Item | Sleeping Pad |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 11.40 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Shelter | 27.0 | |
Shelter Mesh | ||
Shelter Vestibule | ||
Shelter Footprint | ||
Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: XS | |
Shelter Stakes | 13 stakes | 5.00 |
Sleeping Bag | 34.70 | |
Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: S | 2.20 |
Pillow | 3.60 | |
Sleeping Pad | 11.40 |
Item | Rain Jacket |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 12.10 |
Item | Rain Pant |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 11.10 |
Item | Mid Layer |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 15.40 |
Item | Softshell Jacket |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 27.00 |
Item | Insulation Top |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 18.60 |
Item | Insulation Bottom |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 13.60 |
Item | Beanie |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 2.70 |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 8.40 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Rain Jacket | 12.10 | |
Rain Pant | 11.10 | |
Mid Layer | 15.40 | |
Softshell Jacket | 27.00 | |
Insulation Top | 18.60 | |
Insulation Bottom | 13.60 | |
Beanie | 2.70 | |
Gloves | 8.40 |
Item | Rifle |
---|---|
Model | Browning X-Bolt Max Varmint/Target 300 Win Mag |
Weight(oz) | 240 |
Item | Muzzle Brake |
Model | |
Item | Riflescope |
Model | |
Item | Scope Level |
Model | Flatline Ops Patriot Plus Level (34mm) |
Item | Two round holder |
Model | |
Item | Bipod |
Model | |
Item | Bipod Feet |
Model | Rugged Ridge Claw Feet |
Item | Sling |
Model | |
Item | Ammo |
Model | Personal Handloads = 215 Berger Hybrids, Norma Brass, Federal Match 215 Primers, H1000 Powder = 10 total rounds |
Weight(oz) |
|
Item | Rear Support |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 4.37 |
Item | Rifle Cover |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 4.83 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Rifle | Browning X-Bolt Max Varmint/Target 300 Win Mag | 240 |
Muzzle Brake | ||
Riflescope | ||
Scope Level | Flatline Ops Patriot Plus Level (34mm) | |
Two round holder | ||
Bipod | ||
Bipod Feet | Rugged Ridge Claw Feet | |
Sling | ||
Ammo | Personal Handloads = 215 Berger Hybrids, Norma Brass, Federal Match 215 Primers, H1000 Powder = 10 total rounds |
|
Rear Support | 4.37 | |
Rifle Cover | 4.83 |
Item | Top (Wicking) |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 7.70 |
Item | Bottoms (Outer) |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 24.30 |
Item | Belt |
Model | Sitka Stealth Belt |
Weight(oz) | 2.50 |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 4.40 |
Item | Blaze Orange |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 14.40 |
Item | Hat (Hiking) |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 2.80 |
Item | Underwear |
Model | Sitka Core Silk Boxer (Large) |
Weight(oz) | 2.80 |
Item | Watch |
Model | Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar |
Weight(oz) | 3.0 |
Item | Socks (Hiking) |
Model | Darn Tough Merino Hunter Boot Full Cushion 2012 - (XL) |
Weight(oz) | 3.10 |
Item | Leg Gaiter |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 11.30 |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Top (Wicking) | 7.70 | |
Bottoms (Outer) | 24.30 | |
Belt | Sitka Stealth Belt | 2.50 |
Gloves | 4.40 | |
Blaze Orange | 14.40 | |
Hat (Hiking) | 2.80 | |
Underwear | Sitka Core Silk Boxer (Large) | 2.80 |
Watch | Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar | 3.0 |
Socks (Hiking) | Darn Tough Merino Hunter Boot Full Cushion 2012 - (XL) | 3.10 |
Leg Gaiter | 11.30 |
Item | Spotting Scope Eyepiece |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 50.0 |
Item | Spotting Scope Objective |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 47.3 |
Item | Tripod Plate |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 1.90 |
Item | Digiscope Setup |
Model | BTX Phone Skope Eyepiece Adapter |
Weight(oz) | 0.30 |
Item | Scope Case |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 10.50 |
Item | Binoculars |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 36.90 |
Item | Harness |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 15.10 |
Item | Rangefinder |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 9.20 |
Item | Bino Adapter |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 2.80 |
Item | Tripod |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 31.90 |
Item | Pan Head |
Model | |
Weight(oz) | 20.00 |
Item | Digiscope Setup |
Model | iPhone 12 Pro Max with Phoneskope |
Weight(oz) | ** |
Item | Model | Weight(oz) |
---|---|---|
Spotting Scope Eyepiece | 50.0 | |
Spotting Scope Objective | 47.3 | |
Tripod Plate | 1.90 | |
Digiscope Setup | BTX Phone Skope Eyepiece Adapter | 0.30 |
Scope Case | 10.50 | |
Binoculars | 36.90 | |
Harness | 15.10 | |
Rangefinder | 9.20 | |
Bino Adapter | 2.80 | |
Tripod | 31.90 | |
Pan Head | 20.00 | |
Digiscope Setup | iPhone 12 Pro Max with Phoneskope | ** |